Aircraft carriers are easy to argue about because the visible parts are so large: tonnage, air wings, escorts and cost. What is harder to measure is the political choice they create. A carrier at sea is not merely an airfield that moves. It is a sovereign package of military power that can be positioned, reinforced, pulled back or left over the horizon. It can reassure without establishing a base, warn without firing, and create pressure without forcing political leadership immediately across the threshold of war.&nbsp;That is why the carrier has survived repeated predictions of its irrelevance. Anti-ship missiles have become faster and longer-ranged. Submarines remain a serious threat. Space-based surveillance has made large ships harder to hide. None of this makes the carrier invulnerable. It never was. But vulnerability is not the same as irrelevance.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/america-s-new-strategy-control-the-system-not-the-world-1788068534216">America’s new strategy: Control the system, not the world</a>&nbsp;For India, therefore, the debate should move beyond the familiar question of whether an aircraft carrier is too expensive or too exposed. The more useful question is, what political and military options does India want at sea over the next four decades, and what carrier force is required to create them?&nbsp;That leads directly to decisions we can no longer postpone, whether India needs a third carrier to generate reliable availability, whether the next hull should repeat Vikrant or move to a larger design, what its air wing should look like, and how unmanned systems, escorts, submarines, logistics and the wider information architecture will be built around it.&nbsp;“For in this modern world, the instruments of warfare are not solely for waging war. Far more importantly, they are the means for controlling peace.” — Admiral Arleigh Burke

Submarines remain a serious threat. Space-based surveillance has made large ships harder to hide. None of this makes the carrier invulnerable. It never was. But vulnerability is not the same as irrelevance.

Aircraft carriers are easy to argue about because the visible parts are so large: tonnage, air wings, escorts and cost. What is harder to measure is the political choice they create. A carrier at sea is not merely an airfield that moves. It is a sovereign package of military power that can be positioned, reinforced, pulled back or left over the horizon. It can reassure without establishing a base, warn without firing, and create pressure without forcing political leadership immediately across the threshold of war. That is why the carrier has survived repeated predictions of its irrelevance. Anti-ship missiles have become faster and longer-ranged. Submarines remain a serious threat. Space-based surveillance has made large ships harder to hide. None of this makes the carrier invulnerable. It never was. But vulnerability is not the same as irrelevance. Also Read: America’s new strategy: Control the system, not the world For India, therefore, the debate should move beyond the familiar question of whether an aircraft carrier is too expensive or too exposed. The more useful question is, what political and military options does India want at sea over the next four decades, and what carrier force is required to create them? That leads directly to decisions we can no longer postpone, whether India needs a third carrier to generate reliable availability, whether the next hull should repeat Vikrant or move to a larger design, what its air wing should look like, and how unmanned systems, escorts, submarines, logistics and the wider information architecture will be built around it. “For in this modern world, the instruments of warfare are not solely for waging war. Far more importantly, they are the means for controlling peace.” — Admiral Arleigh Burke

Submarines remain a serious threat. Space-based surveillance has made large ships harder to hide. None of this makes the carrier invulnerable. It never was. But vulnerability is not the same as irrelevance.

Steel diplomacy: What the carrier teaches about power, and what India must decide

Taiwan is preparing a sharp expansion of its anti-ship missile arsenal, which is expected to exceed 1,800 missiles by early 2029, according to a Reuters calculation based on arms trade data, US export approvals, defence analysis, and official interviews. The buildup reflects Taipei’s shift towards an asymmetric defence strategy aimed at offsetting China’s superior conventional firepower through large numbers of relatively low-cost but highly lethal weapons.&nbsp;Faced with a massive disparity in conventional military size and industrial output, Taiwan's defence planners have firmly embraced asymmetric warfare, frequently termed the porcupine strategy. The primary goal is not to match China ship-for-ship, but to render the island too costly to assault. Mobile coastal missile batteries are a fraction of the cost of the amphibious transport ships and guided-missile destroyers they target. By focusing heavy resources on smaller, easily concealed, and highly mobile strike platforms, Taiwan aims to establish a resilient network capable of surviving initial heavy bombardment and remaining operational to contest an invasion fleet. The strategy also incorporates shorter-range missiles and drone swarms, drawing lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, where less powerful actors have used missiles and unmanned systems to challenge stronger militaries.<h3>Harpoon and Hsiung Feng at the core</h3>The spearhead of Taiwan’s anti-ship capability is formed by US-supplied Harpoon missiles and domestically developed Hsiung Feng missiles. According to Taiwan’s defence planning and officials cited by Reuters, these systems are central to creating what analysts describe as a ‘kill zone’ in the Taiwan Strait, a heavily contested maritime corridor where concentrated missile fire would aim to inflict severe losses on an invading force.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-eyes-largest-ever-drone-order-2-billion-military-purchase-to-boost-domestic-industry-industry-body-says-1780490500139">India eyes largest-ever drone order! $2 billion military purchase to boost domestic industry</a>&nbsp;The Harpoon Block II is a sea-skimming, all-weather cruise missile capable of over-the-horizon strikes using GPS-aided inertial navigation and active radar terminal guidance. It can be launched from ships, aircraft, submarines, or mobile coastal defence vehicles. With a 500-pound warhead and a range exceeding 67 nautical miles, it is designed to strike ships and coastal targets with high precision.&nbsp;Complementing it is Taiwan’s indigenous Hsiung Feng III (Brave Wind III), a supersonic anti-ship missile in service since 2011. With a range of up to 150 km, and extended variants reportedly reaching 400 km, it is designed for rapid, high-impact strikes against naval targets, making interception more difficult due to its speed of up to 780 m/s. Taiwanese defence planners estimate that by 2029, the arsenal will include around 850 Harpoon missiles and over 1,000 Hsiung Feng II and III missiles, bringing the total to roughly 1,850 anti-ship weapons.<h3>‘Kill zone’ doctrine and strategic intent</h3>&nbsp;Military analysts in Taiwan describe the purpose of this buildup as denial rather than destruction. As Ou Si-fu of Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research told Reuters, “Our goal is to stop them from landing and completing their mission, not to destroy every PLA ship.” The aim is to make any amphibious operation across the Taiwan Strait prohibitively costly for China’s navy and supporting transport fleet.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-moon-fragment-or-something-else-tianwen-2-is-closing-in-on-kamo-oalewa-but-its-true-origins-remain-uncertain-1780493331171">A moon fragment or something else? Tianwen-2 is closing in on Kamoʻoalewa, but its true origins remain uncertain</a>&nbsp;Defence analysts note that long-range precision missiles pose a significant challenge to any invasion force, arguing that such weapons could strike ships “before they even set out across the Taiwan Strait.” However, experts also highlight vulnerabilities. Much of Taiwan’s missile force remains deployed on ships or fixed installations, making them potentially susceptible to pre-emptive strikes. Taiwanese officials say efforts are underway to increase mobility and dispersal, with plans to integrate coastal radars, missiles and drones under a new Littoral Combat Command from July 1.&nbsp;<h3>The Mathematics of Cost Asymmetry</h3>Modern warships, such as guided-missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and aircraft carriers, are extraordinarily complex engineering feats. They cost anywhere from hundreds of millions to billions of pounds to construct, take years to build, and require highly trained crews of hundreds of sailors. In contrast, a modern anti-ship missile costs a fraction of that amount. This means a defending force can purchase hundreds of missiles for the price of a single enemy warship. If even a small percentage of those missiles bypass a ship’s air defences and strike their target, the economic and operational loss to the attacking nation is catastrophic.<h3>Building deterrence under pressure</h3>Taiwan’s anti-ship missile expansion is also tied to major arms procurement from the United States, including Harpoon missile systems and additional precision weapons. Officials say deliveries stretching into 2029 could significantly strengthen coastal defence capabilities, though timelines remain subject to delays.&nbsp;Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out force to achieve unification. Taipei rejects these claims, maintaining that its future must be decided by its people alone. In this strategic standoff, Taiwan’s missile-centric defence posture is increasingly seen as central to its effort to deter blockade or invasion attempts across one of the world’s most sensitive maritime flashpoints.

The primary goal is not to match China ship-for-ship, but to render the island too costly to assault. Mobile coastal missile batteries are a fraction of the cost of the amphibious transport ships and guided-missile destroyers they target.

Taiwan is preparing a sharp expansion of its anti-ship missile arsenal, which is expected to exceed 1,800 missiles by early 2029, according to a Reuters calculation based on arms trade data, US export approvals, defence analysis, and official interviews. The buildup reflects Taipei’s shift towards an asymmetric defence strategy aimed at offsetting China’s superior conventional firepower through large numbers of relatively low-cost but highly lethal weapons. Faced with a massive disparity in conventional military size and industrial output, Taiwan's defence planners have firmly embraced asymmetric warfare, frequently termed the porcupine strategy. The primary goal is not to match China ship-for-ship, but to render the island too costly to assault. Mobile coastal missile batteries are a fraction of the cost of the amphibious transport ships and guided-missile destroyers they target. By focusing heavy resources on smaller, easily concealed, and highly mobile strike platforms, Taiwan aims to establish a resilient network capable of surviving initial heavy bombardment and remaining operational to contest an invasion fleet. The strategy also incorporates shorter-range missiles and drone swarms, drawing lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, where less powerful actors have used missiles and unmanned systems to challenge stronger militaries. Harpoon and Hsiung Feng at the core The spearhead of Taiwan’s anti-ship capability is formed by US-supplied Harpoon missiles and domestically developed Hsiung Feng missiles. According to Taiwan’s defence planning and officials cited by Reuters, these systems are central to creating what analysts describe as a ‘kill zone’ in the Taiwan Strait, a heavily contested maritime corridor where concentrated missile fire would aim to inflict severe losses on an invading force. ALSO READ: India eyes largest-ever drone order! $2 billion military purchase to boost domestic industry The Harpoon Block II is a sea-skimming, all-weather cruise missile capable of over-the-horizon strikes using GPS-aided inertial navigation and active radar terminal guidance. It can be launched from ships, aircraft, submarines, or mobile coastal defence vehicles. With a 500-pound warhead and a range exceeding 67 nautical miles, it is designed to strike ships and coastal targets with high precision. Complementing it is Taiwan’s indigenous Hsiung Feng III (Brave Wind III), a supersonic anti-ship missile in service since 2011. With a range of up to 150 km, and extended variants reportedly reaching 400 km, it is designed for rapid, high-impact strikes against naval targets, making interception more difficult due to its speed of up to 780 m/s. Taiwanese defence planners estimate that by 2029, the arsenal will include around 850 Harpoon missiles and over 1,000 Hsiung Feng II and III missiles, bringing the total to roughly 1,850 anti-ship weapons. ‘Kill zone’ doctrine and strategic intent Military analysts in Taiwan describe the purpose of this buildup as denial rather than destruction. As Ou Si-fu of Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research told Reuters, “Our goal is to stop them from landing and completing their mission, not to destroy every PLA ship.” The aim is to make any amphibious operation across the Taiwan Strait prohibitively costly for China’s navy and supporting transport fleet. ALSO READ: A moon fragment or something else? Tianwen-2 is closing in on Kamoʻoalewa, but its true origins remain uncertain Defence analysts note that long-range precision missiles pose a significant challenge to any invasion force, arguing that such weapons could strike ships “before they even set out across the Taiwan Strait.” However, experts also highlight vulnerabilities. Much of Taiwan’s missile force remains deployed on ships or fixed installations, making them potentially susceptible to pre-emptive strikes. Taiwanese officials say efforts are underway to increase mobility and dispersal, with plans to integrate coastal radars, missiles and drones under a new Littoral Combat Command from July 1. The Mathematics of Cost Asymmetry Modern warships, such as guided-missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and aircraft carriers, are extraordinarily complex engineering feats. They cost anywhere from hundreds of millions to billions of pounds to construct, take years to build, and require highly trained crews of hundreds of sailors. In contrast, a modern anti-ship missile costs a fraction of that amount. This means a defending force can purchase hundreds of missiles for the price of a single enemy warship. If even a small percentage of those missiles bypass a ship’s air defences and strike their target, the economic and operational loss to the attacking nation is catastrophic. Building deterrence under pressure Taiwan’s anti-ship missile expansion is also tied to major arms procurement from the United States, including Harpoon missile systems and additional precision weapons. Officials say deliveries stretching into 2029 could significantly strengthen coastal defence capabilities, though timelines remain subject to delays. Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out force to achieve unification. Taipei rejects these claims, maintaining that its future must be decided by its people alone. In this strategic standoff, Taiwan’s missile-centric defence posture is increasingly seen as central to its effort to deter blockade or invasion attempts across one of the world’s most sensitive maritime flashpoints.

The primary goal is not to match China ship-for-ship, but to render the island too costly to assault. Mobile coastal missile batteries are a fraction of the cost of the amphibious transport ships and guided-missile destroyers they target.

‘Kill zone’ in Taiwan Strait: Why Taiwan is expanding its anti-ship arsenal against China, which missiles form its core

Iran's anti-ship missile arsenal included the 30-km Nasr and the 1,000-km Abu Mahdi. While these weapons once threatened Arabian Sea shipping, recent US and Israeli strikes have systematically destroyed most of these coastal facilities.


Iran's anti-ship missile arsenal included the 30-km Nasr and the 1,000-km Abu Mahdi. While these weapons once threatened Arabian Sea shipping, recent US and Israeli strikes have systematically destroyed most of these coastal facilities.

‘Beyond the Strait of Hormuz’: How far can Iranian anti‑ship cruise missiles actually strike?

Navies counter Iran's sea-skimming anti-ship missiles using a layered defence. Airborne radar detects threats early, while electronic jamming, decoys, and kinetic interceptors like the SM-6 and CIWS destroy the weapons before impact.

Navies counter Iran's sea-skimming anti-ship missiles using a layered defence. Airborne radar detects threats early, while electronic jamming, decoys, and kinetic interceptors like the SM-6 and CIWS destroy the weapons before impact.

How can all Iranian anti‑ship missiles be stopped?

Hypersonic missiles operate above Mach 5, allowing them to cover vast distances in a fraction of the time taken by traditional cruise missiles. Two main types exist. 

Hypersonic missiles operate above Mach 5, allowing them to cover vast distances in a fraction of the time taken by traditional cruise missiles. Two main types exist.&nbsp;

'The weapon warships can’t outrun': How hypersonic anti-ship missiles are changing naval power faster than expected

Anti-ship missiles have evolved from WWII radio-guided weapons to hypersonic missiles like BrahMos. These advanced weapons change naval combat tactics and power balances worldwide. 

Anti-ship missiles have evolved from WWII radio-guided weapons to hypersonic missiles like BrahMos. These advanced weapons change naval combat tactics and power balances worldwide.&nbsp;

How anti-ship missiles are changing the future of naval warfare

A US fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist areas of Yemen towards the USS Laboon, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday (Jan 14).&nbsp;

There were no injuries or damage reported as of the last update.

"On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea," read the statement by CENTCOM posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;

"The missile was shot down in vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by US fighter aircraft," it added.&nbsp;

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On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea. The missile was shot down in vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by… <a href="https://t.co/jftZHQhA2e">pic.twitter.com/jftZHQhA2e</a>
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1746705110401695779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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According to experts, the&nbsp;rather ambitious attack by Yemen, if successful, could have signalled the start of a full-blown regional war. USA's involvement has already made the region ripe for the spillover effect and a successful attack by the Houthis would have only added to the intensity from Washington.&nbsp;

<h2>Why the attack?</h2>

The United States and British forces on Friday (Jan 12) launched strikes in retaliation to the attacks by Houthi terrorists on Red Sea shipping vessels which are linked to Israel.

Australia also provided personnel support to the strikes, which&nbsp;involved various Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.&nbsp;

After launching strikes against Houthis, the United States and its allies said that stabilising crucial Red Sea shipping lanes remains their primary goal.

Houthis&nbsp;claim that their attacks are aimed at showing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yemens-houthis-fired-anti-ship-missile-after-attack-in-yemen-us-679533">Watch |&nbsp;Yemen's Houthis fired anti-ship missile after attack in Yemen: US</a>

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Meanwhile, Iran-backed terror outfit Hezbollah on Sunday (Jan 14) warned that the US was mistaken if it assumed that Houthis would step back&nbsp;owing to the strikes by Washington and its allies.&nbsp;

“If (US President) Biden and those with him think the Yemenis will stop supporting Gaza in the Red Sea, they are wrong and ignorant. They don’t know Yemen, its people and its leadership and its history. They don’t know anything,” said Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden has maintained that the strikes are&nbsp;a "direct response" to "unprecedented" attacks launched by the Houthis.

(With inputs from agencies)

A US fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist areas of Yemen towards the USS Laboon, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday (Jan 14).

A US fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist areas of Yemen towards the USS Laboon, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday (Jan 14). There were no injuries or damage reported as of the last update. "On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea," read the statement by CENTCOM posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The missile was shot down in vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by US fighter aircraft," it added. On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea. The missile was shot down in vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by… pic.twitter.com/jftZHQhA2e — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 15, 2024 × According to experts, the rather ambitious attack by Yemen, if successful, could have signalled the start of a full-blown regional war. USA's involvement has already made the region ripe for the spillover effect and a successful attack by the Houthis would have only added to the intensity from Washington. Why the attack? The United States and British forces on Friday (Jan 12) launched strikes in retaliation to the attacks by Houthi terrorists on Red Sea shipping vessels which are linked to Israel. Australia also provided personnel support to the strikes, which involved various Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets. After launching strikes against Houthis, the United States and its allies said that stabilising crucial Red Sea shipping lanes remains their primary goal. Houthis claim that their attacks are aimed at showing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Watch | Yemen's Houthis fired anti-ship missile after attack in Yemen: US × Meanwhile, Iran-backed terror outfit Hezbollah on Sunday (Jan 14) warned that the US was mistaken if it assumed that Houthis would step back owing to the strikes by Washington and its allies. “If (US President) Biden and those with him think the Yemenis will stop supporting Gaza in the Red Sea, they are wrong and ignorant. They don’t know Yemen, its people and its leadership and its history. They don’t know anything,” said Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. US President Joe Biden has maintained that the strikes are a "direct response" to "unprecedented" attacks launched by the Houthis. (With inputs from agencies)

US claims it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi area of Yemen targeting USS Laboon